Winter Storage

For many of you the thought of storing away your Musto Skiff for the winter is complete madness - but there are some who like to have a break so here are a few top tips to put your boat away for the winter ...

1) Give the complete boat a thorough wash with fresh water

2) Have a good visual inspection of the rigging and ropes to look for any wear or damage; if you do spot something it's better to fix it now rather than wait for next spring when all you'll want to do is get out on the water

3) Store the boat in a garage or if you don't have one with just the top cover on; DON'T store your boat with the under cover in place as this is not breathable and may lead to osmosis; it's only designed to protect the boat when it's being trailed

4) Remove the bung and insert a small strip of cotton rag to act as a wick to remove any moisture in the hull

5) Store the boat bow up

6) Remove the foils from the protective bag - again if stored in the bag wet for long periods this can cause osmosis damage

7) Store the mast in doors if possible - it's too long to go in most garages but as it is a 2 part mast you can split it into two and store it inside - be careful not to put any twists into the halyards though

8) Store your sails inside - behind the sofa is a good spot

If you follow these guide lines then your boat should be in excellent condition for next Spring - alternatively just keep sailing it ...